Linda Castillo - Author

About the Author

Bestselling author Linda Castillo is the recipient of numerous writing awards, including the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence, the Holt Medallion and a nomination for the Rita. She lives in Texas with her husband and is currently at work on her next thriller, also set in Amish Country and featuring Chief of Police Kate Burkholder.

Featured books by Linda Castillo

A rainy night, a father returning home with his three children, a speeding car hurtling toward them out of nowhere. What at first seems like a tragic, but routine, car accident suddenly takes on a more sinister cast as evidence emerges that nothing about the crash is accidental. But who would want to kill an Amish deacon and his children? He leaves behind a grieving widow and a young boy who clings to life in the intensive-care wing of a hospital, unable to communicate. He may be the only one who knows what happened that night. Desperate to find out who killed her best friend's husband and why, Kate Burkholder begins to suspect she is not looking for a reckless drunk, but instead is on the trail of a coldblooded killer. It is a search that takes her on a chilling journey into the darkest reaches of the human psyche and strikes at the heart of everything she has ever believed about the Amish culture into which she was born.

Solly and Rachel Slabaugh, and his brother Abel, have drowned in the hog pit leaving the four children as orphans. As the investigation progresses, it seems that the Slabaugh deaths were not an accident, and the case suddenly becomes a murder enquiry. As the case deepens, Kate develops a bond with the children, particularly the 15-year-old daughter, Solome. Maybe she is reminded of herself at that age, and maybe there's something about this case which stirs up memories for her. The events surrounding the deaths puzzle her something doesn't feel right. As more information comes to light, a tragic incident turns into something much more shocking.

July 2010 Good Housekeeping selection.
In Pray for Silence by Linda Castillo, a gruesome murder on an Amish farm leads police chief Katie Burkholder to discover that someone close to home has been leading a lurid double life.

July 2010 Good Housekeeping selection.
In Pray for Silence by Linda Castillo, a gruesome murder on an Amish farm leads police chief Katie Burkholder to discover that someone close to home has been leading a lurid double life.

December 2009 Book of the Month.
A well devised plot with Amish and ‘English’ communities facing the prospect that a serial killer from the past has returned to their now peaceful lives. With plenty of characters harbouring a secret the plot unfolds tantalisingly and moves towards a suspense-filled ending. A gripping thriller with another in the series lined up.

Other books by Linda Castillo

When Landis, a prosecutor, finished an important trial and returned home, she was shocked to see who was waiting for her-Jack Lacroix! Although he's a detective, he's also the one who killed Landis's older brother. Why was he there when he should be in prison? When Lacroix collapsed out of nowhere, Landis realized that he'd been shot! Why had such a hateful man shown up in her life?

When Landis, a prosecutor, finished an important trial and returned home, she was shocked to see who was waiting for her-Jack Lacroix! Although he's a detective, he's also the one who killed Landis's older brother. Why was he there when he should be in prison? When Lacroix collapsed out of nowhere, Landis realized that he'd been shot! Why had such a hateful man shown up in her life?

When a historic barn burns to the ground in the middle of the night, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is called in to investigate. At first it looks like an accident, but when the body of eighteen-year-old Daniel Gingerich is found inside - burned alive - Kate suspects murder. But who would want a well-liked, hardworking Amish man dead? Kate delves into the investigation and discovers Daniel had a dark side. He was a sexual predator. His victims were mainly Amish women, too afraid to come forward, and he's been getting away with it for far too long. Now someone has stopped him, but who? The women he victimised? Their boyfriends? Their parents? As Kate wades through a sea of suspects, she's confronted by her own violent past and an unthinkable possibility.

Two years ago, fallen Amish man Joseph King was convicted of murdering his wife and sentenced to life in prison.Now King has escaped from prison. . .and is headed for Painters Mill. For Chief of Police Kate Burkholder, this case is personal. As a thirteen-year-old Amish girl, Kate had worshiped the ground King walked on. Still, Kate never could have imagined the nightmare scenario that becomes reality when King shows up to take his five children hostage - armed, desperate, and with nothing left to lose. Fearing for the children's safety, Kate agrees to meet King face to face. His only request: to help him prove his innocence. Though skeptical, she agrees - only to discover that the facts and the evidence of King's case don't align, and that someone may have set him up to take the fall for murder. Someone who wants to keep a terrible secret buried forever... and is willing to kill again.

Marty Hogan was a good cop, until a shocking case sent her to the razor's edge...A sadistic killer pushed Chicago cop Marty Hogan past her limits-and it was all caught on video. She lost her job, her sense of self, her entire world...until an open detective position in small-town Texas gave her a chance at redemption.But she's about to learn that the past always catches up...Police Chief Clay Settlemeyer knows all about mistakes and second chances-he's still earning his own, so he's willing to give Marty the opportunity to prove herself. But when her ex-partner is murdered, it looks like Chicago is coming to small-town Texas with a vengeance!&quote;Castillo's novel resonates with its blend of stalking menace and rich characterization.&quote; -Romantic Times, 4 Stars&quote;Linda Castillo writes with power, passion, and a voice you'll never forget!&quote;-New York Times bestselling author Maggie Shayne&quote;OVERKILL is another winner from Linda Castillo. Having a great conflict and creating great characters are just two of the reasons Linda Castillo is quickly becoming one of my go-to authors for romantic suspense. I can't wait to read more.&quote; -Romance Junkies&quote;Ripped straight from the headlines and guaranteed to cause...There is a happy ending here, but Castillo makes them work for it. So when it comes, it's worth it.&quote; -Paperbackreader.com

In the newest chilling thriller from New York Times bestselling author Linda Castillo, Chief of police Kate Burkholder is called upon to assist when an Amish teenager disappears without a trace. A missing child is a nightmare to all parents, and never more so than in the Amish community, where family ties are strong. So when a body turns up and another young girl goes missing, fearspreads through the community like a contagion. Kate and state agent, John Tomasetti, delve into the lives of the missing teens and discover links to cold cases that may go back years. But will Kate piece together all the parts of this sinister puzzle before it's too late? Or will she find herself locked in a fight to the death with a merciless killer.

Eight years ago Joseph King was convicted of murdering his wife and sentenced to life in prison. He was a 'fallen' Amish man and, according to local law enforcement, a known drug user with a violent temper. Now King has escaped, and he's headed for Painters Mill. News of a murderer on the loose travels like wildfire and putting Chief of Police Kate Burkholder and her team of officers on edge. A nightmare scenario becomes reality when King shows up with a gun and kidnaps his five children from their Amish uncle's house. He's armed and desperate with nothing left to lose. Fearing for the safety of the children, Kate leaps into action, but her frantic search for a killer leads her into an ambush. When King releases her unharmed, asking her to prove his innocence, she begins to wonder whether the police are hiding something, and she embarks on her own investigation to discover the truth.

Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is called upon by the sheriff's department in rural, upstate New York to infiltrate a reclusive Amish settlement where a young girl has been found dead under mysterious circumstances. Kate's longtime love interest, State Agent John Tomasetti, is dead set against her taking on the assignment, knowing she'll have limited communication - and even less in the way of backup. But Kate can't turn her back, especially when the rumor mill boils with disturbing accounts of children in danger. She travels to New York where she's briefed and assumes her new identity as a lone widow seeking a new life. Kate goes deep under cover. In the coming days, she unearths a world built on secrets, a series of shocking crimes, and herself, alone...trapped in a fight for her life.

Bucolic Painters Mill is plunged into darkness in this new short mystery, from the New York Times bestselling author of Among the Wicked, featuring Chief of Police Kate Burkholder.It's Friday the 13th in Painters Mill and rumors of an Amish &quote;rager&quote;-a huge outdoor party rife with underage drinking-puts Chief of Police Kate Burkholder and her small department on edge. To make matters worse, Painters Mill is in the midst of a county-wide power outage. At the height of the rager, a teenage Amish girl is attacked with a hammer and left for dead. Kate is called to the scene-an abandoned farm teeming with loud music and rowdy behavior-to find the girl unconscious and bleeding from a head wound. With the girl in a coma and an unknown attacker on the loose, Kate must discover who would want to hurt her, and why, before it's too late.

It's a rainy night in Painter's Mill when, from out of nowhere, a speeding car comes hurtling toward an Amish man and his three children. What at first seems like a tragic but routine car accident becomes personal for Chief of Police Kate Burkholder when she discovers that the victims are the family of her childhood friend, Mattie. As Kate delves into the investigation, she comes face-to-face with her own Amish past and memories of growing up with Mattie, an extraordinary beauty for whom trouble has never been far behind. Is there something more to this mysterious car crash that killed Mattie's husband? What is Mattie hiding and who is she trying to protect? Meanwhile, Mattie's son - the only one who really knows what happened clings to life in the hospital, unable to communicate. Desperate for answers, Kate slowly uncovers the trail of a stone-cold killer - one who is likely living among the Amish, and calls into question everything and everyone Kate has ever known.

From Linda Castillo, the New York Times bestselling author of SWORN TO SILENCE and AMONG THE WICKED, this collection of stories featuring Chief of Police Kate Burkholder combines three amazing novellas for the first time together at a discounted price. Long Lost After closing a difficult case, Kate Burkholder and John Tomasetti look forward to some down time, but their relaxation is cut short by rumors that the old house where they're staying is haunted by a girl who disappeared twenty years earlier, leaving nothing behind but some bloody clothes by the river and rumors of a volatile relationship. Swept up in the girl's story, and a need for justice, Kate and John begin looking into the mysterious disappearance. A Hidden Secret When a baby-only hours old-is discovered on the Amish bishop's front porch in Painter's Mill, Ohio, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is called in to investigate. The newborn is swaddled in an Amish crib quilt, and the only other item found with the child is a hand-carved wood rattle, which Kate also recognizes as Amish. With the rattle and quilt as the only clues, Kate must call upon her own Amish roots, and with the help of state agent John Tomasetti, search the Amish and &quote;English&quote; communities of Painters Mill for clues to unravel the poignant, puzzling mystery. Seeds of Deception Readers get a glimpse into Chief of Police Kate Burkholder's past and her Amish roots: Fourteen year old Katie Burkholder has been tasked with picking apples in Zimmerman's Orchard with her best friend Mattie when a group of older &quote;English&quote; boys, known troublemakers, interrupt. Mattie, no stranger to trouble herself, disappears into the old barn with one of the boys, and moments after they both run out, the Zimmerman's barn is consumed by fire. Katie suspects the boy had something to do with the blaze, but he denies it. When the facts don't add up, Katie begins her own investigation-and she doesn't like what she finds. Will her friendship with Mattie survive the truth?

Kate's long time love interest, State Agent John Tomasetti, is dead set against her taking on such an unorthodox assignment, knowing she'll have limited communication and even less in the way of backup. But Kate can't turn her back, especially when the rumour mill boils with disturbing accounts of children in danger. She travels to New York where she's briefed and assumes her new identity as a lone widow seeking a new life. Kate infiltrates the community and goes deep under cover. In the coming days, she unearths a world built on secrets, a series of shocking crimes, and herself, alone...trapped in a fight for her life.

From the New York Times bestselling author of THE DEAD WILL TELL comes a new short story offering a glimpse into Chief of Police Kate Burkholder's past and her Amish roots.It's autumn in Painter's Mill, and fourteen year old Katie Burkholder has been tasked with picking apples in Zimmerman's Orchard with her brother. It's just another day filled with chores-until her best friend Mattie arrives to help. Somehow, boredom transforms into fun and games whenever the girls are together. The innocent fun comes to an end when Billy Marquardt and his gang of friends interrupts. Katie is no prude, but she knows better than to associate with the older English boys, especially since they're known troublemakers. Mattie has no such compunction. Thumbing her nose at the Ordnung and all of the Amish rules, she disappears into the old barn with Billy. Moments later, the Zimmerman's barn is consumed by fire. Katie suspects Billy had something to do with the blaze, but he denies it. When the facts don't add up, Katie begins her own investigation-and she doesn't like what she finds. Will her friendship with Mattie survive the truth?

IN THE NEWS: Ex-navy search and rescue pilot Drew EvansFAMILY HISTORY: His adopted brother is one of the genetically engineered Extraordinary FiveDEEPEST SECRET: Haunted by the only mission he failedHardened hero Drew Evans had thought his tragic past was behind him, until the woman he'd secretly loved-his best friend's widow-stepped back into his solitary life. But single mom Alison Myers was in need of his help to save her ailing son-and quench her own hidden longings. Alison had never expected to see devastatingly handsome Drew again, the one man who made her feel the forbidden stirrings of passion. But could she trust him with the two most precious things in her life...her son and her heart?

In this electrifying thriller by New York Times bestseller Linda Castillo, Kate Burkholder must uncover a family's long-hidden past to solve a brutal murderWhen a tornado tears through Painters Mill and unearths human remains, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder finds herself tasked with the responsibility of identifying the bones-and notifying the family. Evidence quickly emerges that the death was no accident and Kate finds herself plunged into a thirty year old case that takes her deep into the Amish community to which she once belonged. Meanwhile, turmoil of an emotional and personal nature strikes at the very heart of Kate's budding relationship with state agent John Tomasetti. A reality that strains their fragile new love to the breaking point and threatens the refuge they've built for themselves-and their future. Under siege from an unknown assailant-and her own personal demons-Kate digs deep into the case only to discover proof of an unimaginable atrocity, a plethora of family secrets and the lengths to which people will go to protect their own.

New York Times bestselling author Linda Castillo immerses readers in the world of the Amish in this chilling series that is equal parts fast-paced thriller and intriguing psychological puzzle.Sworn to SilenceSixteen years ago, a brutal serial killer left a trail of victims before vanishing into thin air. Now, he may have returned, and only one woman can stop him-but can she solve the case without revealing a terrible secret that links her to the original murders?Pray for SilenceIn the quiet town of Painters Mill an Amish family of seven has been found slaughtered on their farm. Police chief Kate Burkholder and her small force have few clues, no motive, and no suspect. Breaking SilenceWhat appears to be a gruesome accident that left three people dead turns more sinister when evidence of foul play emerge. Together with agent John Tomasetti, Kate searches for answers and uncovers a dark secret at work beneath the placid surface of this idyllic Amish community.

When a baby-only hours old-is discovered on the Amish bishop's front porch in Painter's Mill, Ohio, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is called in to investigate. The newborn is swaddled in an Amish crib quilt, and the only other item found with the child is a hand-carved wood rattle, which Kate also recognizes as Amish. The little girl seems healthy and whole; but who would abandon her and why? Though the quilt and rattle could be purchased, Kate suspects the mother is Amish, possibly young and unmarried, both of which would be powerful motives for such a desperate act. With the rattle and the baby quilt as the only clues, Kate must call upon her own Amish roots, and with the help of state agent John Tomasetti, search the Amish and &quote;English&quote; communities of Painters Mill for clues to unravel the poignant, puzzling mystery.

When a baby - only hours old - is discovered on the Amish bishop's front porch in Painter's Mill, Ohio, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is called in to investigate. The newborn is swaddled in an Amish crib quilt, and the only other item found with the child is a hand-carved wood rattle, which Kate also recognizes as Amish.The little girl seems healthy and whole, but who would abandon her and why? Though the quilt and rattle could have been purchased, Kate suspects the mother is Amish, possibly young and unmarried, both of which would be powerful motives for such a desperate act.With the rattle and the baby quilt as the only clues, Kate must call upon her own Amish roots and, with the help of state agent John Tomasetti, search the Amish and &quote;English&quote; communities of Painters Mill for clues to unravel the poignant, puzzling mystery.

Everyone in Painters Mill knows the abandoned Hochstetler farm is haunted. Ghost stories abound, but no one knows what really happened that terrible night thirty-five years ago when an Amish father and his four children perished-and his young wife disappeared without a trace. When Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is called to the scene of an apparent suicide-a man found hanging from the rafters in his barn-evidence quickly points to murder. She finds herself following an elusive trail that points back to the tragedy of that long ago incident. Meanwhile, Kate has moved in with state agent John Tomasetti and for the first time in a long time, she's happy. Their newfound bliss is shattered when one of the men responsible for the murders of Tomasetti's family four years ago is found not guilty and walks away a free man. When a second man turns up dead, Kate discovers a link that sends the investigation in a direction no one could imagine and uncovers a horrifying truth that reaches deep into the past and strikes at the very heart of Painters Mill. As Kate draws a bead on a stone cold killer, a murderer vows to right old wrongs and kill anyone who stands in the way.

Everyone in Painters Mill knows the abandoned Hochstetler farm is haunted. But only a handful of the residents remember the terrible secrets lost in the muted/hushed whispers of time-and now death is stalking them, seemingly from the grave. On a late-night shift, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is called to the scene of an apparent suicide-an old man found hanging from the rafters in his dilapidated barn. But evidence quickly points to murder and Kate finds herself chasing a singularly difficult and elusive trail of evidence that somehow points back to the tragedy of that long ago incident. Meanwhile, Kate has moved in with state agent John Tomasetti and for the first time in so long, they're both happy; a bliss quickly shattered when one of the men responsible for the murders of Tomasetti's family four years ago is found not guilty, and walks away a free man. Will Tomasetti be pulled back to his own haunted past?When a second man is found dead-also seemingly by his own hand-Kate discovers a link in the case that sends the investigation in a direction no one could imagine and revealing the horrifying truth of what really happened that terrible night thirty-five years ago, when an Amish father and his four children perished-and his young wife disappeared without a trace. And, as Kate knows-the past never truly dies . . . in The Dead Will Tell by Linda Castillo

After nine years as one of Chicago' s finest, Erin McNeal had come to sleepy Logan Falls for a second chance, not to be watched over by a man as infuriatingly overprotective- and disarmingly attractive- as Nick Ryan.She was no damsel in distress, but someone wanted her dead, and Nick knew better than to entrust a guilt-driven daredevil with her own safety. It was his duty to protect her- whether she liked it or not. It seemed the only thing the chief of police and his newest deputy could agree on was the one thing they couldn' t resist- each other. Could the cautious single father and the reckless beauty be cops... and lovers?

UNDER SUSPICIONMichelle Pelletier had no alibi, a fuzzy memory and an utterly gorgeous detective on her doorstep accusing her of murder. Philip Betancourt wasn't buying her plea of innocence. After all, she'd confessed only half the truth....The lady had a body to haunt a man-and a shadowy past, to boot. But Philip knew a frame job when he saw one. His instincts insisted he protect her...by keeping the sexy suspect very close. Philip wouldn't let anyone harm this vulnerable beauty who would make someone a perfect wife....

Agent: Robert DavidsonMission: Pinpoint exact location of the missing agent in Rebelia.Deepest Secret: He's never recovered from the horror of watching the woman he loved die.Robert Davidson thought he could handle returning to Rebelia, the war-ravaged country that nearly cost him his life-and had cost him Lily Scott, the passionate journalist he'd fallen in love with. But nothing could have prepared him for the shock of finding Lily still alive-with a child.With Lily's and her son's life in danger, Robert must set aside his jealousy-and desire-in order to protect the only woman he's ever loved. But Lily has one more secret-which will change his life forever.

A rainy night, a father returning home with his three children, a speeding car hurtling toward them out of nowhere. What at first seems like a tragic, but routine, car accident suddenly takes on a more sinister cast as evidence emerges that nothing about the crash is accidental. But who would want to kill an Amish deacon and his children? He leaves behind a grieving widow and a young boy who clings to life in the intensive-care wing of a hospital, unable to communicate. He may be the only one who knows what happened that night. Desperate to find out who killed her best friend's husband and why, Kate Burkholder begins to suspect she is not looking for a reckless drunk, but instead is on the trail of a coldblooded killer. It is a search that takes her on a chilling journey into the darkest reaches of the human psyche and strikes at the heart of everything she has ever believed about the Amish culture into which she was born.

HOSTAGE TO LOVETaking gorgeous corrections officer Emily Monroe as his hostage, undercover CIA agent Zack Devlin was trying to escape with his life. But when he helped himself to Emily's full red lips and her body melted into Zack's hard edges, she didn't know if she was in danger or in love.Both harboring old secrets and heartache, Emily and Zack were forced to run from dark intentions; finding solace in each other's body heat, a shared passion driven by pure adrenaline. But as their search for evidence became a suicide mission, would they die having never said...I love you?

HE AIMS FOR THE HEARTDeep-cover operative Mike Madrid tracked Jessica Atwood with ease, but one look at her revealed her innocence. On the run with an orphan in tow, the spitfire called out to Madrid, stirring passions he thought long buried.But on this terrifying night, the secrets of Lighthouse Point would be exposed. And there were those who wouldn't allow that to happen. Jess needed Mike's protection from a desperate community, but could they reveal the truth about a dead mother without cutting to the heart of the growing attraction between them?

RETIREMENT FOR ONE COWBOY MEANT GETTING BACK UP ON THE SADDLEAll Bo Ruskin wanted was to forget his tragic past and to reclaim his quiet cowboy life. Instead, he had orders to protect Special Agent Rachael Armitage. Furious and frustrated, Rachael would rather die than abandon her dangerous mission. For even in the safety of Bo's Montana ranch, an international crime lord was out to grant her wish.Drawn to this mysterious, hardened cowboy from her past, Rachael was certain Bo was hiding something. But fi rst she'd have to learn the lay of the land if she were to live to learn the truth. Riding horseback through the wilderness, would these two desperadoes go down in a blaze of glory-or passion?

Search-and-rescue leader Buzz Malone thought losing the only woman he'd ever loved was the worst blow life could deal. He was wrong. Finding out that he had a son-a son his ex-wife, Kelly, had kept secret-was worse. Especially when that child was lost in the Rocky Mountains, pitted against a raging forest fire.Tirelessly trekking through the mountains with Buzz by her side, Kelly soon realized that the wilderness wasn't the only thing on fire. For the passion that had always flared between them now burned hotter than ever. If they ever made it through this ordeal alive, Kelly vowed to face an even greater challenge-convincing Buzz to give their love another try!

She had no name, no memory, nothing but the knowledge that she was pregnant and someone wanted her dead. Her only hope was John-the rescue medic who'd saved her life, the Good Samaritan who'd vowed to keep her safe, the sexy stranger who was stealing her heart. Her hero.Saving lives was his job, but John Maitland had learned long ago the cost of personal involvement. Risking his life he could handle, risking his emotions-his heart-was out of the question. Until he rescued &quote;Hannah,&quote; battered, bruised and scared for her life, off the side of a mountain. Suddenly things got very, very personal....

An extraordinarily beautiful Amish woman, a dangerous femme fatale, is the central figure in Linda Castillo's Her Last Breath, a story that reveals a dark side of Painters Mill and its seemingly perfect Amish world.A rainy night, an Amish father returning home with his three children, a speeding car hurtling toward them out of nowhere.What at first seems like a tragic, but routine car accident suddenly takes on a more sinister cast as evidence emerges that nothing about the crash is accidental. But who would want to kill an Amish deacon and two of his children? He leaves behind a grieving widow and a young boy who clings to life in the intensive care wing of a hospital, unable to communicate. He may be the only one who knows what happened that night. Desperate to find out who killed her best friend's husband and why, Kate begins to suspect she is not looking for a reckless drunk, but instead is on the trail of a cold blooded killer amid the residents of Painter's Mill. It is a search that takes her on a chilling journey into the darkest reaches of the human heart and makes her question everything she has ever believed about the Amish culture into which she was born.

Painter's Creek, Ohio is a sleepy, rural town populated with both Amish and 'English' residents. It is also the hometown of Kate Burkholder, a formerly Amish woman who has recently returned as Chief of Police. The Amish are a proud and private people who prefer not to associate with the outside world, particularly the police. So Kate's Amish roots combined with her big-city law enforcement experience make her the perfect candidate. But Kate soon learns that even bucolic small towns have a dark side . . .Murder in Amish Country is a collection of three Chief of Police Kate Burkholder novels from the New York Times bestselling author, Linda Castillo.In Sworn to Silence a serial killer returns to peaceful Painters Mill after a sixteen year hiatus. The first body is found in a pristine, snowy field. Kate vows to stop him before he strikes again. But to do so, she must betray both her family and her Amish past-and expose a dark secret that could destroy her.In Pray for Silence the sound of a scream in the early morning dawn leads to the discovery of an Amish family that has been slaughtered on their farm. The investigation takes a treacherous turn when Kate realizes a personal connection to this case that will change her life irrevocably . . .In Breaking Silence the Amish parents of four children are found dead on their farm, the apparent victims of a terrible farming accident. Or was it? As Kate delves into the case, she soon learns that every family has its secrets and sometimes those secrets can be deadly.

From Linda Castillo, the New York Times bestselling author of SWORN TO SILENCE and GONE MISSING, comes LONG LOST: a powerful and moving story about a troubled young woman and a decades old mystery set in the world of the Amish.It's autumn in Painters Mill, and Chief of Police Kate Burkholder and John Tomasetti are taking a much-needed vacation at a small bed and breakfast an hour outside of town. After closing a difficult case, they're looking forward to some down time, but their relaxation is cut short by rumors that the old house where they're staying is haunted by a girl who disappeared twenty years earlier, leaving nothing behind but some bloody clothes by the river and rumors of a volatile relationship. Swept up in the girl's story, and a need for justice, Kate and John begin looking into the mysterious disappearance of Angela Blaine. They discover long-buried secrets-and unravel a mystery with an unexpected outcome.

It was a night like no other...darker, longer and totally unforgettable Sara Douglas watched as Nick Tyson emerged from the heavy rain. In his face she saw little of the boy she once knew. She'd returned to Cape Darkwood to research her parents' murder. And stop the nightmares. Was Nick just another terrifying dream-or a flesh-and-blood man who would leave her breathless? Chief of police now, pain etched Nick's rough face, colored his eyes navy blue.He'd lost someone, too, but while Sara ran, Nick had nowhere else to go. Instead, he patrolled a divided town whose secrets lay dormant at the bottom of the cliffs. Nick wouldn't let that be Sara's fate, no matter how much it pained him to see her again.Together their investigation mounted and led them to horrifying consequences-but more lethal than the case was their undeniable and deadly desire for each other...

Linda Castillo's bestselling series has been called &quote;gripping&quote; [People] and &quote;impossible to put down&quote; [Bookpage] and the &quote;teeth chattering suspense&quote; [USA Today] continues with GONE MISSING-a deeply chilling novel about a rite of passage gone horribly wrong.Rumspringa is the time when Amish teens are allowed to experience life without the rules. It's an exciting time of personal discovery and growth before committing to the church. But when a young teen disappears without a trace, the carefree fun comes to an abrupt and sinister end, and fear spreads through the community like a contagion. A missing child is a nightmare to all parents, and never more so than in the Amish community, where family ties run deep. When the search for the presumed runaway turns up a dead body, the case quickly becomes a murder investigation. And chief of Police Kate Burkholder knows that in order to solve this case she will have to call upon everything she has to give not only as a cop, but as a woman whose own Amish roots run deep.Kate and state agent, John Tomasetti, delve into the lives of the missing teen and discover links to cold cases that may go back years. But will Kate piece together all the parts of this sinister puzzle in time to save the missing teen and the Amish community from a devastating fate? Or will she find herself locked in a fight to the death with a merciless killer?

Solly and Rachel Slabaugh, and his brother Abel, have drowned in the hog pit leaving the four children as orphans. As the investigation progresses, it seems that the Slabaugh deaths were not an accident, and the case suddenly becomes a murder enquiry. As the case deepens, Kate develops a bond with the children, particularly the 15-year-old daughter, Solome. Maybe she is reminded of herself at that age, and maybe there's something about this case which stirs up memories for her. The events surrounding the deaths puzzle her something doesn't feel right. As more information comes to light, a tragic incident turns into something much more shocking.

Lean, edgy former police detective Jack LaCroix had forty-eight hours to clear his name and keep his freedom.To do it, the escaped prisoner needed attorney Landis McAllister - the woman he'd once thought would share his life. The woman who thought he'd betrayed her. Landis had just pulled her life together. Now Jack was back, compelling her to believe in him despite the damning evidence, proving with a touch that the ashes of their fiery past still smoldered.With the law on their heels and bullets flying at their backs, could they rekindle their trust in each other and find the proof Jack needed before time ran out?

When Deputy Sheriff Jake Madigan was called to duty to bring in an escaped convict, he thought it would be a routine search-and-rescue mission. He was wrong. Turns out capturing Abby Nichols was a cinch compared to hauling her out of the Rocky Mountains during a treacherous blizzard. His pretty-as-sin prisoner was not the hardened criminal he had expected but a violet-eyed seductress who could almost make him forget his by-the-book ways.Jake knew that come hell or high water he would turn this woman over to the authorities once the storm passed. So why was he dodging bullets on her behalf and buying into her claim of innocence? Why was he so willing to warm her shivering body with his heated caresses? Why was he foolishly falling for his fugitive?

The New York Times bestselling series hailed as &quote;gripping&quote; (People magazine) and &quote;compelling&quote; (USA Today) returns with Police Chief Kate Burkholder called to the scene of a horrific tragedy on a peaceful Amish farm.The Slabaugh family are model Amish farmers, prosperous and hardworking, with four children and a happy extended family. When the parents and an uncle are found dead in their barn, it appears to be a gruesome accident: methane gas asphyxiation caused by a poorly ventilated cesspit. But in the course of a routine autopsy, the coroner discovers that one of the victims suffered a head wound before death-clearly, foul play was involved. But who would want to make orphans of the Slabaughs' children? And is this murder somehow related to a recent string of shocking hate crimes against the Amish? Having grown up Amish, Kate is determined to bring the killer to justice. Because the other series of attacks are designated hate crimes, the state sends in agent John Tomasetti, with whom Kate has a long and complex relationship. Together, they search for the link between the crimes-and uncover a dark secret at work beneath the placid surface of this idyllic Amish community. Chock full of twists and chills and set against the unusual world of the Amish, this series &quote;will delight fans of Chelsea Cain and Thomas Harris&quote; (USA Today).

July 2010 Good Housekeeping selection.
In Pray for Silence by Linda Castillo, a gruesome murder on an Amish farm leads police chief Katie Burkholder to discover that someone close to home has been leading a lurid double life.

The New York Times bestselling author of Sworn to Silence delivers an electrifying thriller-Chief of Police Kate Burkholder must confront a dark evil to solve the mysterious murders of an entire Amish familyIn the quiet town of Painters Mill, an Amish family of seven has been found brutally murdered on their farm. Chief of Police Kate Burkholder and her small force have few clues, no motive, and no suspect. Formerly Amish herself, Kate is no stranger to secrets, but she can't get her mind around the senseless brutality of the crime. State agent John Tomasseti arrives on the scene to assist. He and Kate worked together on a previous case during which they began a tentative relationship, but each is wary of commitment. The disturbing details of this case will push them to their limits and force them to face demons from their own troubled pasts. When Kate discovers a diary, she realizes a haunting personal connection to the case. One of the teenage daughters may have been leading a lurid double life. As the case develops, Kate's list of suspects grows. Who is the attractive stranger that stole the heart of the innocent young Amish girl? Did her estranged brother-a man with a violent past who was shunned by his family and the Amish community-come back to seek out revenge? Driven by her own scarred past, Kate swears she'll find the killer and bring him to justice-even if it means putting herself in the line of fire. Topping her own bestselling debut, Linda Castillo once again immerses readers in the world of the Amish with a chilling story that is both a fast-paced thriller and compelling psychological puzzle.

December 2009 Book of the Month.
A well devised plot with Amish and ‘English’ communities facing the prospect that a serial killer from the past has returned to their now peaceful lives. With plenty of characters harbouring a secret the plot unfolds tantalisingly and moves towards a suspense-filled ending. A gripping thriller with another in the series lined up.

Now the subject of the Lifetime original movie An Amish MurderA killer is preying on sacred ground....In the sleepy rural town of Painters Mill, Ohio, the Amish and &quote;English&quote; residents have lived side by side for two centuries. But sixteen years ago, a series of brutal murders shattered the peaceful farming community. In the aftermath of the violence, the town was left with a sense of fragility, a loss of innocence. Kate Burkholder, a young Amish girl, survived the terror of the Slaughterhouse Killer but came away from its brutality with the realization that she no longer belonged with the Amish. Now, a wealth of experience later, Kate has been asked to return to Painters Mill as Chief of Police. Her Amish roots and big city law enforcement background make her the perfect candidate. She's certain she's come to terms with her past-until the first body is discovered in a snowy field. Kate vows to stop the killer before he strikes again. But to do so, she must betray both her family and her Amish past-and expose a dark secret that could destroy her.